El Chapo Son and Sinaloa Cartel Leader Ovidio Guzman To Be Extradited to the US From Mexico
The US government does not just have El Chapo in its custody but also one of his infamous sons. This is because Mexico has now extradited Sinaloa Cartel leader Ovidio Guzman Lopez to US custody. JUAN CARLOS CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images

The US government does not just have El Chapo in its custody but also one of his infamous sons. This is because Mexico has now extradited Sinaloa Cartel leader Ovidio Guzman Lopez to US custody.

Ovidio Guzman is not just a son of El Chapo but is also one of the Sinaloa Cartel's top bosses in the Los Chapitos faction, together with his three other brothers. US Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed that he was flown from Mexico on Friday and will be facing drug trafficking charges like his father while on US soil.

"This action is the most recent step in the Justice Department's effort to attack every aspect of the cartel's operations," said the AG. The Los Chapitos member is considered one of the most wanted men in the world.

The Associated Press noted that Ovidio Guzman was arrested in Culiacan, Sinaloa State back in January, ahead of Joe Biden's visit to Mexico or bilateral talks, which was also followed by the North American Leaders' Summit where the US president met with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

However, his arrest also set off a wave of violence in Culiacan as elements of the Sinaloa Cartel attacked various parts of the city in an effort to rescue their leader. About 30 people died in the cartel's retaliatory assault, including 10 military personnel.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland Praises US and Mexico Efforts To Extradite Ovidio Guzman

After El Chapo was arrested, his four favored sons, known collectively as Los Chapitos, took over his side of the Sinaloa Cartel. This includes Ovidio, who was seen as one of the cartel's masterminds behind the cartel's fentanyl production, which has severely affected the US.

"The fight against the cartels has involved incredible courage by United States law enforcement and Mexican law enforcement and military service members, many of whom have given their lives in the pursuit of justice," said Garland as he praised the efforts to bring the young Guzman to US custody.

Ovidio Guzman was actually captured before, in 2020, according to NBC News. However, the Sinaloa Cartel retaliated, and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was forced to agree to release him. He continued to terrorize Mexico until he was finally captured.

Who Are the Sinaloa Cartel Leaders, the Los Chapitos?

As Latin Post previously reported, Los Chapitos comprises El Chapo's four most favored sons. These include Jesus Alfredo "Alfredillo" Guzman Salazar, Ivan Archivaldo "El Chapito" Guzman Salazar, Joaquin "El Guero Moreno" Guzman Lopez, and of course, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, alias "El Raton."

Alfredillo is responsible for coordinating the transport of narcotics from Central and South America to Mexico, while "El Chapito" is said to have been responsible for the murder of Canadian exchange student Kristen Deyell and her Mexican companion, Cesar Augusto Pulido Mendoza. Joaquin, meanwhile, reportedly oversees approximately 11 methamphetamine labs.

So far, only Ovidio is in custody, as his three other brothers remain free. The now-extradited "El Raton" is also accused of ordering the murder of a singer who had refused to perform at his wedding, according to the BBC.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Ovidio Guzman Lopez, son of El Chapo, brought to US to face drug trafficking charges: Sources - ABC 7